The average person is likely to experience some form of a back injury during their lifetime. Back spasms are one of the most common symptoms from back injuries. They take the form of a swift contraction or tense muscle pain that’s discomforting and sometimes painful in the lower back. Whether it’s from too much heavy lifting or just the wrong sudden motion, back spasms can develop both suddenly and overtime. This condition can range from mild discomfort to chronic pain depending on the intensity of the injury. The good news is that this condition can often be treated effectively beginning with observation and efficient recovery. We will inform you of 3 steps to take in order to recover from common back spasms!
Use Ice and Electrical Stimulation
The first step to take when addressing your back spasms is to use ice and electrical stimulation. It’s important to note that the inflammation caused by back spasms can be negatively affected by the use of heat if used in the acute stage. The acute stage lasts for 1-2 days after the injury and the chronic stage begins after 3 days. Place an ice pack on the pain area in intervals of 20 minutes. Alternatively, an ice bath is a great option.
The second immediate action to take is electrical stimulation therapy. This is a practice that’s commonly used to improve muscle strength and reduce muscle spasms. It’s as simple as using a TENS unit and placing the pads in the affected areas in 20-minute intervals. This and ice can be done simultaneously if you are using an ice pack. Don’t have a TENS unit? Here’s a link to one of our favorites.
Keep using the ice and electrical stimulation method until the pain starts to subside. When the pain has decreased dramatically it’s time to activate those areas with some movement. Start slow and gradually work your way into some exercises. Remember not to force anything or move too quickly as your body is in a vulnerable state.
Get Moving With Some At-Home Exercises
You are able to tell you’re ready for some exercises when you can gently move your body. At-home exercises and stretches are helpful immediate solutions to back spasms. Click here to view our video which demonstrates helpful exercises and workouts you can do to alleviate the pain caused by back spasms. You can always find updates and more helpful relief exercises by subscribing to the Underwood Healthcare YouTube channel.
It’s important to know that while mild discomfort may come as a result of working the sore back muscles- too much pain can be harmful. If the pain does not seem to decrease or exercises are causing you an immense amount of pain it may be time to stop immediately and contact your musculoskeletal physician.
Contact Your Musculoskeletal Physician
So, how much pain is too much pain? If your pain is noticeably increasing, the next step you need to take is contacting your musculoskeletal physician as soon as possible. Before you meet with your musculoskeletal physician, it’s important to be ready to discuss a few important points in relation to your back spasms.
- What is the severity of your back pain on a scale of 1-10?
- Where is the pain located? Does the pain travel?
- When did you first notice the pain?
- How often does the pain occur?
- What tends to relieve it? What makes it worse?
Here at Underwood Healthcare, we realize how troublesome back spasms can be and we are committed to helping our patients live a pain-free life. If you ever have a question about a musculoskeletal pain or problem you are facing feel free to reach out to us.